...the slogan of peace, because we consider it downright pacifist, bourgeois-philistine, helping governments (they now want to be "for peace" with one hand in order to extricate themselves) and hindering revolutionary struggle.

In our view, the Left should come forward with a common ideological declaration: (1) with an obligatory condemnation of social-chauvinists and opportunists; (2) with a program of revolutionary action (whether to say: civil war or revolutionary mass action—it's not really so important)—(3) against the slogan of "defence of the fatherland" and so forth. An ideological declaration of the "Left" in the name of several countries would have enormous significance (of course, not in the spirit of Zetkin's vulgarity, which she pushed through at the women's conference in Berne: Zetkin evaded the question of condemning social-chauvinism!! out of a desire for "peace" with Südekums + Kautsky??).

If you disagree with this tactic, scratch out [a reply] immediately with 2 words.

If you agree, then take it upon yourself to translate (1) the Manifesto of the Central Committee (No. 33 of *Sotsial-Demokrat*)*
and (2) the Berne resolutions (No. 40 of *Sotsial-Demokrat*)** into Swedish and Norwegian and get in touch with Höglund—whether they agree on such a basis (of course, we won't part ways over details) to prepare a common declaration (or resolution). One must hurry with this most urgently.

So, I await your answer.

All good wishes.

Your Lenin

To Christiania (Oslo)

Written after July 11, 1915

Sent from Sörenberg (Switzerland)

First published in 1924

in *Lenin Miscellany* II

Printed from the manuscript